InsideMDSports: Donte Grantham talks Terps offer

Editor's note: Each week, InsideMdSports.com provides this blog with a Maryland recruiting feature that previously appeared as premium content on its site.

As a junior, Donte Grantham had scholarship offers from the likes of James Madison and Quinnipiac. During his senior year at Martinsburg (W.Va.), he added two more, from Clemson and home-state West Virginia. But it wasn’t until this spring that Grantham’s name began spreading among recruiters at high-major programs everywhere.

Now, the 6-foot-8 forward’s got additional offers from Maryland, Miami, Penn State and Xavier. Texas, Arizona State, Cincinnati and Washington have been showing serious interest, and more schools are sure to start calling if Grantham elects to re-classify to the Class of 2014; he said he hasn’t decided yet, but will soon.

“I’m still deciding whether or not to. I’m still in the process,” he said.

Quiet as it was kept, Maryland recently offered Grantham, who’s been playing with D.C. Assault this spring. He said it’s unclear if the Terps want him specifically for 2013 or 2014, though ’14 seems more likely.

“Maryland offered, I want to say about a week after the live period started,” said Grantham, who led Martinsburg to a state championship this past season while earning state player of the year honors.

“Coach Turgeon called me. They’d seen me play in Philly and Pittsburgh. He said they were going to discuss whether they want me for 2013 or 2014, but he really liked me and wanted to offer me a scholarship.”

Grantham’s never been to Maryland and is just becoming acquainted with the program.

“I’ve watched them play, but I’m not really familiar with them,” he said. “I haven’t talked to Melo [Trimble] since they offered, but I’m sure we will.”

If Grantham opts to enroll in college this year, Clemson -- the first high-major to offer Grantham -- may be the favorite. It’s the only school he’s visited this spring. Regardless of his classification, though, he sounds like he’s not long for the recruiting process.

“I’d like to [make a decision] soon. I’m hoping to do it soon,” he said.

Grantham’s recent emergence is the product of a unique package of size and skill. At 6-8, he can handle and shoot.

“I’d definitely [be] a 3 and if I get it all together I may be a 2. But I’ll play anywhere,” he said. “Coaches like my versatility. I’m 6-8, I can dribble, shoot, post up and rebound. I can guard guards, I can guard big men and play anywhere from the 1 to the 4.”